Our founders and early members of the fellowship were almost all against the establishment of rules, regulations, conformity, and any implied or actual dogma as expressed in most organized religions. Therefore, each group functions autonomously by following its own conscience (Tradition 4). This is an outward expression against organizational activities, except where such activities would affect 12th step service to recovering alcoholics. Likewise, Tradition 8 and Tradition 9 explicitly define the role of service centers, boards and committees as providing service rather than exercising any form of governance. So, Intergroup or Central Office, with their boards and committees, have no authority to impose rules or regulations on any AA group or, for that matter, any individual member, no matter what issues of nonconformity may be involved. Minimal organization, however, is required for some services, but restricted by the spirit of the traditions. The history of our Intergroup in Central Florida is intertwined with the development of Tradition 8 and Tradition 9. By the 1960’s, it was apparent that a central AA service center was needed to help with the growing number of groups in Central Florida, by providing certain services in unity to benefit all the registered groups active in our area – services which individual groups may not have the assets to accomplish on their own. In early 1972, Central Florida started an Intergroup, which remains active today; it is funded and served by the voluntary donations of our groups, and voluntary efforts of the members who do much to bolster our 12 Step work in helping alcoholics. Duties of the Intergroup include: Receiving, arranging and following up 12 Step calls Answering inquiries about our program Establishing local Public Information Committees (PICs) Publishing updated local AA meeting lists Providing a news letter Maintaining a book store to supply the area with literature Other AA activities approved by the local groups Intergroup must operate under the same traditions and concepts as any other AA group, and must have periodic meetings of delegates to report its activities, finances, and service efforts. Intergroup is a vitally important activity, the ground game, the contact of so many alcoholics in need of information and service to support their desire to get and stay sober. It’s important that our groups strongly support and service our Intergroup which is the initial hand reaching out to the suffering alcoholic in central Florida.